The Best Stand Up Paddle Boards, Right Now

Stand up paddleboarding has become one of the most popular ways to enjoy time on the water—and for good reason. It’s fun, relaxing, and accessible to just about anyone.

If you’re new to it, read our Stand Up Paddleboarding For Beginners Guide first.

Whether you’re paddling solo, with friends, or sharing a board with your dog or child, it’s one of those summer activities that’s as laid-back or adventurous as you want it to be.

And while it’s easy to learn, choosing the right paddleboard can feel a bit more complicated.

There are so many brands, shapes, and styles out there—which is where this buyer’s guide comes in.

This guide is split into two parts to make it easy:

PART 1: Best Stand Up Paddleboards:

Here you’ll find a curated list of the top inflatable paddleboards and brands. Whether you’re planning to paddle on the ocean, lakes, rivers—or all three—this section will help you quickly narrow down the best options for your needs.

PART 2: The Buyer’s Guide + How to Choose:

This section is a complete beginner’s guide to SUP. It covers everything you need to know, from how to paddle properly, choosing the right board size and shape, inflatable vs. solid construction, what to wear, how to find local paddle spots, plus rental tips and where to buy SUPs new or used.

If you’re ready to get on the water, this guide will help you choose with confidence—and have more fun doing it.

The Best Stand Up Paddle Boards

BOTE Breeze Aero

• Length: 10’6″ | Width: 33″ | Thickness: 6″
• Weight: 20lbs | Capacity: 250lbs
• Type: Inflatable SUP
• Cost: $779 at boteboards.com | Amazon
• Includes: touring center fin / travel bag / manual pump / adjustable paddle / repair kit

REVIEWED: To learn more, read my in-depth BOTE Breeze Aero review.

The BOTE Breeze Aero is a very popular SUP for Bote Boards due to its attractive price point, lightweight build, durability, and good all-around features for beginners new to paddleboarding.

If you’re not planning on a mission around some headlands or anything like that then this is a great choice for your first SUP.

It’s for the beginner to intermediate paddleboarder who wants to get into paddleboarding and would like a nice attractive board to be able to enjoy it with. The Breeze Aero from BOTE, ticks the boxes for most beginners.

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iROCKER Cruiser 7

• Length: 10’5″ | Width: 34″ | Thickness: 6″
• Weight: 25lbs | Capacity: 435lbs
• Type: Inflatable SUP
• Cost: $650 on Amazon.com
• Includes: 1 X 10’6/3.2m CRUISER 10’6″”, 3 X Removable Nylon SUP Fins (1 Center Fin and 2 Side Fins), 1 X 10’/3m Leash With Key Stash Spot, 1 X 3-Piece Hexa-Edge Carbon Paddle, 1 X iROCKER Universal Wheeled Backpack, 1 X Electric Pump, 1 X Repair Kit (Patches And Valve Wrench, Glue Sold Separately)

REVIEWED: To learn more, read my in-depth iRocker Cruiser 10’6″ review.

One of our favorite inflatable SUP right now, is the iRocker Cruiser SUP. It over-delivered in a most key areas during our tests.

We were not expecting such a high-quality package, with so many great accessories for the price but ended up being very pleasantly surprised.

The board is very well balanced out on the water because of its wide 33-inch deck and large volume – this makes it great for beginners.

The maximum weight capacity is an impressive 400lbs which means it can be used as a tandem SUP with a partner or friend too, provided your combined weight is somewhere in that region.

It’s also a stable board for paddleboarding with a dog or your child.

The iRocker Cruiser is a very high-quality triple-layer iSUP, and for everything you get in the package, you really can’t go wrong with this one.

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ISLE Pioneer

• Length: 10’6″ | Width: 34″ | Thickness: 6″
• Weight: 19lbs | Capacity: 285lbs
• Type: Inflatable SUP
• Cost: $680 on Amazon
• Includes: Inflatable Paddle Board, Backpack, Carbon Paddle, Hand Pump, Touring Fin, Straight Leash

ISLE is one of the top stand-up paddleboard brands available with affordable boards, and the ‘Pioneer’ is their best seller for good reason.

The ‘ISLE Pioneer SUP’ is also a top pick fo due to its impressive feature-set and capabilities in different water conditions. We also think it looks the most classy!

This paddleboard is also a great choice for beginners because of its large 34 inches wide deck pad which gives it excellent stability on the water, important for anyone who thinks they may need a little help with their balance.

Some additional key features include a very large brushed traction pad in the center of the board which allows you to do more activities including yoga, and bungee cords on the front and rear for securing your belongings.

It also has plenty of carry handles in the center, nose, and tail, and two velcro straps to hold your paddle while not in motion.

The board also has enough volume to also support a dog, child, or an additional rider. No matter your experience level, or intended use (lake, river, ocean), you really can’t go wrong with this stand up paddle board.

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BONUS Inflatable Lounge Rafts!

Did you know BOTE also has an inflatable range called the Hangout Suite?

Whether you’re doing a lazy river with friends, or just chilling at the pool with some drinks, you need to have some of these inflatable seat rafts in your life. Read my BOTE Hangout Sling Chair Review next.

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Stand Up Paddle Board Buyer’s Guide

What is stand up paddleboarding?

Paddleboarding is one of those outdoor activities that almost anyone can pick up. It’s simple, fun, and doesn’t require a ton of gear to enjoy. You can use a SUP to explore lakes, rivers, or coastal waters, go for a mellow float with your dog, do yoga, or get more serious with touring or surfing.

That’s what makes it so versatile—it’s easy to start and there’s lots of room to grow.

How to paddle board (in a nutshell)

We’re working on a full how-to, but for now, here’s the quick version:

• Start kneeling to get a feel for the board.
• Stand up one foot at a time where your knees were.
• Keep your knees soft and your eyes forward.
• Use your core to paddle, not just your arms.
• And yep—you’ll probably fall in. That’s half the fun.

Practice balancing on dry land if you want (a yoga mat works great), and always wear a PFD when you’re on open or unfamiliar water.

How to choose a paddleboard: 5 key things to consider

1. Inflatable vs. solid SUPs

• Inflatable SUPs are compact, easy to store, and great for travel. They’re softer (more comfy for dogs and yoga), durable, and pack into a backpack. Ideal for small spaces, road trips, and adventuring.
• Solid SUPs (also called hard boards) are faster, more responsive, and better for performance. If you have space to store and transport one, they’re great for speed, long distances, or surfing.

2. Board size: length, width, and thickness

• Short (under 10′): better for surfing and kids.
• Medium (10’–12′): great all-rounders for most paddlers.
• Long (12’6″ and up): best for touring and speed.

Wider boards = more stability. Narrower boards = faster and more agile.

Thicker boards offer more buoyancy and support heavier loads. Match the board size to your weight, your gear, and your plans (e.g., paddling solo vs. with a dog or child).

3. Volume & weight capacity

This tells you how much the board can carry. Heavier paddlers or those bringing gear (cooler, child, dog, fishing kit) should look for boards with higher volume and weight ratings. Stay under the limit for a stable and enjoyable experience.

4. Hull shape: planing vs. displacement

• Planing hull: wide and flat, like a surfboard. Easy to maneuver. Great for leisure paddling, yoga, and small waves.
• Displacement hull: pointed nose, cuts through water for more efficient paddling. Ideal for longer distances and touring.

5. Fins

Most SUPs come with a center fin or a 3-fin setup. Larger fins = better tracking and stability. Smaller fins = better maneuverability. Removable fins are useful for travel and storage.

What to wear paddleboarding

Warm day? Swimwear is fine. Add a rash guard or UPF shirt, sunglasses with a strap, and plenty of sunscreen. Cooler weather? Layer up with quick-drying, water-friendly clothing. Consider a wetsuit if you plan to paddle in cold conditions.

Safety gear you should always bring

• PFD (personal flotation device) – legally required in many places.
• Whistle + headlamp – also legally required after sunset.
• Leash – keeps your board from drifting if you fall in.
• Dry bag – for valuables, snacks, and spare layers.
• Water + quick-dry towel – because hydration and warmth matter.

Extra gear worth considering

• Water shoes – protect your feet on rocky shores.
• Better paddle – lighter paddles = longer sessions.
• Electric pump – inflates your board with way less effort.
• Anchor – for yoga or floating breaks.
• Phone case or GoPro – for capturing those SUP memories.

Where to paddleboard

You don’t need to live by the ocean. Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs are perfect for paddleboarding. Use Google Maps to scout nearby water, or try apps like AllTrails or GoPaddle to find paddle-friendly spots.

Rentals, lessons, and buying used

If you’re not ready to buy just yet, check out local rental shops or REI’s paddleboarding classes and events. They’re great for learning the ropes, testing boards, and meeting other paddlers.

Want to buy used? REI’s Used Gear program often has good deals, and if you’re a member, you can even trade in your old gear for store credit.